What is a Gray Divorce in Maryland?

The term grey divorce is used to reference a demographic trend that has shown an increase in separation or divorce amongst older couples who have been married for a significant amount of time. There is an assumption that anyone who has been married for 40 years or more is obviously older and therefore “starting to gray.” Now, the term is more often used to refer to baby boomers who are getting divorced, regardless of their hair color or how long they have been married. On average, the new wave of gray divorces involves people who have been married for 20 to 30 years.

Reasons for Gray Divorce

There are a variety of reasons that people are getting divorced later in life and after spending several decades together. Some of these reasons include:

• Growing Apart: People change as they age, and for some couples, there is no defining moment that makes them want to divorce. There is no abuse, no major fight, and no infidelity. In these situations, people just grow apart. There are some events that could trigger this, including your last adult child leaving the nest and going off to college or one or both partners entering retirement.
• Self-Improvement: As people age, it is not uncommon to start to feel like a change is warranted. Perhaps it is physical changes like improving their appearance, losing weight, etc. In other cases, self-improvement may involve going back to school or starting a new career. It depends on the individual circumstances and parties involved.
• Change in Lifestyle: As we age, it is not uncommon to slow down some. However, it can lead to issues if one partner is still active and wants to go out regularly, travel, etc. This can lead to a breakdown in the marriage as well.

Potential Implications of a Grey Divorce

Even if your children are adults and out of the house, a divorce can still impact them. They will need to adjust to new family dynamics and learn how a split family works. Your kids may feel trapped between parents and forced to take sides. Dealing with family feuds is no fun, no matter how old you are.

One of the biggest potential issues with a grey divorce involves the financial implications. The division of assets during a divorce can be troubling and complicated. If you have been married for a significant amount of time, you have amassed far more wealth in many cases than those who have been married for a year or two. You have life insurance policies, retirement benefits, social security benefits, and other investments to possibly consider.

If you have been a stay-at-home parent for nearly 20 years and now you are divorcing, it can also feel scary and overwhelming to consider re-entering the workforce after decades of being away. Transitioning to being alone can be tough for a lot of spouses.

Contact a Maryland Divorce Attorney

If you have questions about the possible implications of getting divorced later in life, it is important to speak with a knowledgeable Maryland divorce attorney. Contact the Law Office of Roberto R. Castro today at 301-705-5253 to schedule an initial consultation.